Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Wave Behavior: A Single Boundary Refracts & Reflects
This introduction to seismic wave behavior describes Snell's Law and how it applies to layers in the earth. It addresses reflected, refracted, critically refracted, and head waves. Seismic waves travel at different speeds through...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Elastic Rebound on High Friction Strike Slip Fault
Animation shows the buildup of stress along the margin of two stuck plates that are trying to slide past one another deforming rock. [33]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Gulf of California: Earthquakes & Tectonics
Focusing on the Gulf of California Rift Zone, this animation depicts the evolution of the spreading ridge that marks the boundary between the Pacific and North American Tectonic Plates. [3:12]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Hotspot Volcanism: Thermal Plume
Animation explores hotspot volcanism and offers a simple illustration of how this results in chains of volcanoes such as the Hawaiian Islands. [2:14]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Mars vs Earth General Physical Comparison
Animation shows a comparison of the basic features of the Earth with the red planet, Mars. [2:49]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Plate Boundary: Convergent Margin
A short video illustrates how a megathrust earthquake can create a tsunami. Check out the additional resources provided below the video. [1:16]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Wave Behavior: Critically Refracted Rays Ping Arrivals
A brief video will illustrate how a ping announces refracted seismic waves. [0:34]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Thermal Convection: What Are the Forces That Drive Plate Tectonics?
Video introduces mantle convection which is the slow creeping motion of Earth's solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior of the Earth to the surface. It goes on to explain how the Earth's...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Seismic Waves: P, S, and Surface
Video lecture on wave motions and speeds of three fundamental kinds of seismic waves: Primary (P = pressure) waves; Secondary (S = shear); and Surface waves. [3:10]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Layers of the Earth What Is the Moho?
This animation discusses the history of the discovery of the Mohorovicic Discontinuity, as well as the logic behind it. Spoiler Alert: It is about Snell's Law. [9:22]
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Fault: Left Lateral Strike Slip Fault With No Friction
Animation demonstrates left-lateral fault strike-slip fault with little or no friction along fault contact. [9]